Darwin is considered one of Australia’s frontier cities in the far northern reaches of the country. It acts as a gateway into the incredible landscape and iconic (and somewhat terrifying) wildlife of the top end. A comfortable 4.5 hour flight from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Canberra makes Darwin reasonably accessible by air. By road it is a different story with days needed to make the journey although it is great for those with time on their side.
Darwin boasts two distinct seasons the wet and the dry. During the wet seasons visitors can expect tropical rain regularly throughout the day as opposed to the dry season where days are hot and sunny, wildlife is active and visitor activities are plentiful.
One of the activities that gives visitors an alternate perspective of the city of Darwin is the Charles Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Darwin Harbour, taking in fresh local produce and views of the glorious tropical sunset.
The cruise departs from Stokes Hill Wharf in the early evening to allow guests to enjoy the sights of the city before the sun dips into the Timor Sea beyond the harbour. The check in process is simple and convenient upon arriving at the wharf. Friendly staff at the Darwin Harbour Cruise office warmly welcome guests to check in and provide tickets for boarding.
The sleek 3 storey ship, the Charles Darwin, awaits at the base of the fully accessible pedestrian ramp. Another warm local welcome from all the ship’s crew, a safety briefing, and an acknowledgement of the traditional owners and we set sail.
The first thing is to order some cold drinks. There are not many days in Darwin when you will need any other sort of refreshment, as the weather barely dips below the annual average of 32 degrees Celsius.
There are a few dining options – indoor on the first and second deck or outdoor on the bow and top deck of the ship. Guests are encouraged to confirm their preferred location when booking particularly in the busy dry season. Once allocated your table you are free to move around the ship freely.
As the Charles Darwin sails along peacefully there is no ongoing commentary on the boat to disrupt the serenity and passengers can admire the city’s buildings and coastline from the open-air decks.
The menu is presented on each table and offers detailed descriptions of what you will be able to select from on the buffet. Guests are served an optional starter of Crocodile and Sweet Corn Soup and most take up the option to try this top end predator. The soup is tasty and the crocodile meat (sliced finely in the soup) has a similar look and taste to chicken.
After the soup entrée, the dinner buffet is open including freshly cooked warm dishes and salad items, highlights include the fresh cooked prawns and kangaroo loin. Guests can go back to the buffet as often as they like.
Dinner on outdoor deck is stunning with a cool breeze and the first colours of sunset peeping through over the sea whilst on land the lights of the city start to flicker on. The boat stops in the harbour as the star of the show really comes out to play the sun sets into the Timor Sea and the rich oranges, reds and yellows glow on the horizon.
Dessert is served on the way back to the wharf and is a buffet of top end classics – berry cheesecake, apple and mango crumble with native muntries, coffee and coconut panacotta and fruit salad.
Arriving back at the wharf guests can board the free shuttle bus into the waterfront precinct or take a taxi or ride share into the city centre.
The Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise is an excellent way to enjoy the city from a different perspective and experience the breathtaking top-end sunset.
Have you visited Darwin? Leave a comment below and let us know what you liked about it.
Disclaimer: We were a guest of Darwin Harbour Cruises. Learn more about their experiences here.
